cometsgirl

Tybee Reflection

The afternoon hours on the last Tybee day were spent packing up, a late lunch of BBQ at a favorite out-of-the way place in Savannah. Then the airport. Drop-off as we each headed home.

I faced five hours of driving, 3 1/2 of which would be in daylight. I was grateful for Daylight Saving Time. The first hour was interstate, the rest of travel was on mostly

2-lane roads traversing through rural Georgia.

The extraordinary colors in the sky as the daylight turned to dark simply took my breath away!

I had lots of time to recall all the goings on of the past few days, and to reflect on Tybee Time 2017.

gentle joy

healing

being away

time to be with God, with a best friend, and with myself.

Now settled in back home, I give great thanks that once again I received the gift of Tybee Time.

All things came together for sunrise viewing today. Warmer tempature, awakened early, and resolve.

After a 10-15 minute walk, determined by number of bird sightings along the way, the glow of pre-sunrise came into view.

As we walked the boardwalk across the dunes, something else came into sight. A CAR. We were pretty certain cars were not allowed on Tybee Beach, but we checked the sign which posted all “unallowabkes”. NO unauthorized vehicles. Could this SUV be authorized?

We thought not. So a call was made to the Tybee Beach police. The woman seemed astounded to hear the car was actually on the beach. Giving her the location, we set off to walk along the surf to await the moment of sunrise.

Such beautiful images!

Contrails crisscrossing the sky.

Gulls and pelicans skimming along the water.

And the moment of the first peek of the sun.

Then a bursting of color as this new day began.

And then the police arrived.

We watched from afar as three young men were roused from inside the car and handcuffed. Suffice it to say, we moved on as we saw one being led off by the cops, and the other two permitted to drive off.

The first hour of our last day on Tybee Time started off with adventure and beauty. Can’t wait to see what the rest of the day brings. I know at the end of the day there will be parting, but the promise of return for Lent 2018 has been made.

Tybee Warmed Up

What a difference a day makes. The temperature was up to 59 degrees this afternoon. Perfect for an afternoon walk on the beach.

It was not quite warm enough this morning to take in the sunrise. That will come tomorrow.
Instead we “settled” for the early morning marsh view outside the front window.

A day to read, watch the amazing variety of birds right out front – egrets, gulls, bluebirds – and create delicious meals using the provisions we brought or purchased upon arrival. And to watch women’s basketball games on this first day of the NCAA Tournament.

Also to create postcards to send to friends and family. Handmade cards have become part of our travels, and it’s so satisfying to design cards that reflect each travel locale.

By mid afternoon, it was warm enough by our standards, to walk the beach.

In today’s devotional from The Reverend Becca Stevens, she says: “It is better to take the longer path. There is no shortcut on this journey; and it is definitely a walk, not a run. Think of it as exercising your heart muscles. If given a chance between a quick walk to the car or a long stroll through the woods, take the stroll.”

Very true. I followed those words this afternoon, choosing to walk the few blocks to the beach and back. We were rewarded with a large white egret taking flight right alongside us. It was so good to be on foot this warmed-up day.

Tybee Cold

Hard to imagine, but freeze warnings were issued last night for Tybee Island and nearby Savannah. Brr!

Nice morning view of the marsh, from INSIDE.

So today’s plan was to do indoor activities.

We began the day in Savannah at Back in the Day for cappuccinos and seriously tasty biscuits.

Then on to Milan Day Spa for seriously amazing pedicures.

This being the start of 4 days of St. Patrick’s Day revelry in Savannah, we quickly headed back to Tybee.

We found a beautiful Healing Eucharist Service at All Saints Episcopal Church on Tybee Island, led by a recently retired chick priest from Baltimore. We were dismissed with these words: “Our worship is over, our service begins.”

Then it was time for serious eats at Girald’s Pig and Shrimp. Pulled pork sandwich and fried shrimp. Yum!

Then back home to just lol. Read. Nap. Watch the NCAA’s women’s basketball tournament selection show. I’ll be rooting for the USC Gamecocks.

This time on Tybee Island, and especially this day, has allowed my soul to catch up with my body. I’ve been speeding and hurrying in my daily life, rushing even. The beauty of Tybee Time is that it both allows me, and calls me, to slow down. To stop. To find a slower rhythm of my days. Time to reflect. Time to chat with God. Time to just be. Then when I leave this place, I will have gone far toward the restoring of my soul.

Tybee Cool

It’s unseasonably chilly on Tybee Island. Cool enough to do a morning rollover instead of getting up to walk several blocks to get to the beach for sunrise. Tybee time is about rest, though, so that worked.

A lovely slow start to the day. Reading and pondering how to respond to today’s #40 Acts Stewardship challenge. Today’s invitation was Real Fruits.

Who could you creatively gift today? Do you know someone who’s struggling with money? Put their need first and treat them with what you have. That could be dropping off some supermarket vouchers, or taking them out for a meal/movie on you.

Before I read these words, I had already offered to help a ffriend with airfare for a trip she wanted to make. A trip that would offer her a place of retreat. This gave me pause, having responded to today’s challenge before I knew it.

I did eventually get to Tybean, local coffee house. It was originally a Kickstarter project. I would have been a backer if I had known about it. It’s a luxury to find good espresso drinks without having to leave the island.

Of course I responded to this Stewardship opportunity.

Eventually it was warm enough to walk the beach.

I was struck by the patterns along my walk. Thinking about the patterns in my life.

The textures of my life are as varied as the patterns seen on my shore walk. Such variety makes up who I am and how I live my life. There are smooth and jagged pieces. Also pieces of intricate design. Together they shape my life and my intentions. As this day comes to an end, I intend to send a donation to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia, a commitment to the pattern of ongoing support for those who respond to the hungry.

Ah….Tybee Time

After stops and starts along the way, I made it to Tybee Island. I was never certain I would make it here this year, until I crossed over the Bull River onto the island, and then a few minutes later turned into the Bluebird B&B.

At last.

After “monstrous” unpacking (gotta bring everything you think you could possibly need when choosing non-luxury accommodations), we settled into dinner by sunset. A salad of fresh local greens, Irish cheddar, 3-cheese black pepper bread and sparkling water was a feast.

Toward the end of sunset we did Evening Prayer;

“Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God.”

The Journey Begins

And so the trek to Tybee Island begins. It’s a journey of miles, of hours, of tradition. And of hope. Hope of finding spiritual rest and renewal in the quiet of this place. In the constancy of the tides departing and returning. In the walking to the beach to be present for the promised sunrise; in the sitting across from the marsh, watching the days end. And in the promise of rest in the beauty of place and in God.

Departing early this morning under a beautiful mountain sunrise, I’m headed to the big city to meet my best traveling friend; we’ll then drive east for several hours until Tybee Island comes into view.

It always feels like coming home. Home to Lent on Tybee Time.

And now Lent

Looking out my window just now- at the mostly barren woods, I can just make out “ideas” of green. Of renewal. Of the coming of Spring.

Looking out a different window, I see a definite sign of renewal. At the end of the drive is a bank of yellow. Forsythia. And nearby, daffodils.

Closer to the house there is the sight of purple, of lavender. THE lilac.

All signs that what has been slumbering through the winter, is awakening. Rebirth.

May Sarton, in her poem Blizzard, says “Hard to imagine daffodils…in this nowhere landscape..”; and saying further, “this very field, changed utterly, with hosts of daffodils to show..”. Indeed, what has been unseen is now seen.

Now in the midst of the Season of Lent, I’m aware of deepening down, of anticipation, of a kind of personal barren time.

In a sense, I have been beneath the ground, and just lately preparing for the Spring of my soul. Buffered about in the past twelve months, I’m a work in progress toward my “blooming”,

Tybee Time calls once again. This will be the fourteenth Lenten journey to Tybee. Rest and reflection up ahead. And renewal.

Homeward Bound

And so Epiphany in Taos is completed. Yet it will continue in my heart and soul. I so much needed this time and space for my soul-healing.

It took a leap of faith to substitute 22 years of Advent trips with the new Epiphany “look”. And a leap of faith that winter travel in and out of both Atlanta and Albuquerque would work. There’s a lesson there about trust.

And now we each fly our separate ways back home, knowing a new tradition has begun. I return home filled with the northern New Mexico winter quietness. Fed by New Mexican red files and blue corn tortillas, this sustenance will carry me on the way to see what God has in store for me now.

Epiphany Discoveries

Switching up the 22 years of Advent travel to Epiphany travel has opened up new possibilities and promises of New Mexico travel. Forced by situation to abandon the annual Advent trip, and to create alternate travel, the Season of Epiphany stepped in.

With the new plans, came new ways to experience this place. It is quieter in January. Colder too.